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What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by deanesque on 2011-11-06 20:48:38

I've had a love/hate relationship with my HD500 for almost a year. I could rarely get a decent clean sound with my Strat and my Les Paul sounded horrible. I alost sold it several times. This all changed when I read on another forum that having input 2 sent to "SAME" would over drive the unit. I thought this may be why, even after the firmware update, I still got ugly crackly sounds on the cleans, I set all my patches to input1=guitar and input2=variax, ALL MY PATCHES SUDDENLY SOUNDED GREAT! I could even hear the noise level drop by just change the input to field in HD Edit.

After all this time of being ready to sell it and liking my Fender Mustang III MUCH better I am finally blown away with the HD500!

Does Line 6 know this is the default! It boggles my brain to think of all these people possibly hating this awesome unit because of this.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by Rowbi on 2011-11-07 01:36:30

that default is in place so that dual tone patches work correctly. Line 6 is aware though, and who knows, they may release an update to help work around this in the future.

Cheers

Rowbi

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by Br4veheart2 on 2011-11-08 14:48:51

It'll be a few more weeks before I can get my HD500, but I'll make a special note of this good tip - Thanks!

Pete.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by Sean_Clarke on 2011-11-09 05:56:25

I too almost sold my POD HD500 due to this, I had a lot of background noise and couldn't get a great tone until I switched the second input off (to Variax)- I would imagen the amount of noise picked up from the floating inpout would vary from studio to studio.

I have subsiquently bought a DT25 and live the HD/DT combination, although again, Line 6 area realy missing a trick to get it all to sound good out of the box...put a link to a DT50/25 set list- all pre amps, no reverb block etc. Sure, every use can do this seperately, but for that 'out of the box this sounds great' feeling without reaserch and tweeking, you can fix most issues with a set list!

LINE 6.....Post some set lists/banks in documents/sticky with all presets to pre-amp only and all inputs to input 2 off! etc.- Great starting point for DT25/50 Owners

Please also post 'sticky' the great set lists created by users (there are now many versions) of each amp type clean/crunch/lead with just a standards set up (again, pre and full amp versions, inpout 2 off)

Like it bor not some userts never tweek or venture of pre-sets, I have even heard HD500 demo (local music store) sound horible as they put it through an amp incorrectly to get a muddy mess (they even had the amp reverb on presets with reverb!). Assume everytone is an idiot, make many setlists for different situations!

This simple action will result in more happy users, less returned sold HD500's! would ship the HD's with above in the user slots!

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by hansvaneven on 2011-11-10 06:01:57

Impressive find, thanks!

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by DeanDinosaur on 2011-11-11 17:23:45

Stuff like this is what makes the time spent on this forum well worth it. I found this out quite early as soon as I upgraded to the HD500 and I feel lucky for finding out, because this is much better than the default and makes quite a difference. I am honestly hoping that the next update will include an option for input 2 being nothing which might even be quiter than Variax! I'm actually quite surprised this isn't an option and why would option for input 2 makes a difference if nothing is plugged in!. My mixer doesn't pickup anything from the inputs if nothing is plugged in, so why does the HD500 Pickup noise fromt the MIC (maybe it doesn't but the algorithm for choosing MIC is not programmed efficiently)

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by kiki_90291 on 2011-11-11 21:54:50

Wow - I just tried this and it's amazing! Thanks!!!!

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by deanesque on 2011-11-11 22:14:45

I spent months trying to love my HD but my Fender Mustang III totally blew it a way. I was really discusted. Now the HD is easiy better than the Mustang (which is a great amp). I'm glad I didn't sell it but I can't believe Line6 isn't telling this to everyone. I wonder how many others have sold theirs wihtoug knowing this.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by BryanMichael on 2011-11-12 06:31:51

I had a similar issue. My strat sounded okay, but the LP was overdrivinig the input of the unit. I tried using the pad, everything that MADE SENSE...until another user on HC pointed me toward the inputs and noted that the HD500 actually had a "stereo in" and it was either summing or duplicating my guitar signal. Well, once I set the INPUT 2 in the SETTINGS menu to something like "Variax" or anything but what it was set to by default...the HD opened up to me. It was a relief actually, because I was ready to sell it as well, and any mention of an LP "overdriving" the unit met with the wonderfully uninformed responses of "your unit must be faulty" or "it's your imagination" most of the time. If it weren't for someone actually taking the time to explain the issue, I doubt I would still have a POD at all.

After sorting that out, I have updated to the POD HD Pro and I am very happy.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by hansvaneven on 2011-11-12 08:07:44

Can't believe that Line 6 lets such a big error in all their devices, I mean, this makes the whole unit sound better with less noise, this must be set to standard in next firmware update, imagine 95% of the people who have the HD playing with a bad setup

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by sintetik123 on 2011-11-12 10:33:43

Thanks for sharing but, in my case, that's not the solution.

It seems that some (?) units have a hardware problem that makes them overdrive digitally (clipping) at the input stage or even at the AD converters. Line6 doesn't tell us about that "trick" you mention because even if that works to reduce the problem, it doesn't fix a problem that is not fixable by a simple software change.

When I use your procedure I am making the signal lower and that reduces the problem. The same happens when I reduce drive and master settings. The same happens when I use my strats instead of the LPs. The same happens when I engage the guitar input pad. The same happens when I cover my ears. But that isn't really solving the problem... For me, all these approaches dull the sound of the amp models (which, by the way, are great).

Do you really believe that if this was down to a software change that Line6 would not solve it quickly to avoid loosing the money that they are loosing with this stunt? Two of my friends gave up on buying this unit because of this! With other brands or at least other industries, there would be a recall of units serial number X to Y. In this case, silence...... the clients can take the pain.

I own lots of equipment, mostly related with professional studio recording. I always felt like Line6 made toys, equipment to be sold at supermarkets, like casio keyboards! My first and last Line6 equipment confirmed it.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by relayerjb on 2011-11-12 11:28:29

What I can't believe is why they designed it this way in the first place. It's great to have 2 inputs for guitar and vocals or whatever. But why do you need to have both inputs active in order to use both paths? They can't simply split a mono signal that comes in from input 1 to go thru both sides of the signal chain?

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by deanesque on 2011-11-12 11:28:39

sintetik123 wrote:

.

For me, all these approaches dull the sound of the amp models (which, by the way, are great).

I don't know what is going on with your unit but the setting we're talking about here in no way dulls the sound. It makes the sound much clearer.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by sean106ESP on 2011-11-12 11:51:30

Great info guys. Do you have to do this to every patch? Or just in the overall settings menu?

Also sorry if I missed it. Are we talking about using the HD500 live in a FX return of a tube amp or just the DT25 or into a computer? Thanks.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by DeanDinosaur on 2011-11-13 04:29:15

You have to do this in every patch, as this setting is per patch. This applies to anyway you use the HD500, Direct, into the effect loop of another amp, etc.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by kmcnair1 on 2011-11-13 21:09:21

I almost sold mine and was bummed out at the sound of the HD500 unit for a really long time. I've got and old Line AX212 that sound way better than the HD 500. But I added the DT25 and te HD 500 got alot better. I just made the input change to a bunch of patches and they all sound quiter. I need to spend tomorrow trying out the changes to give a final report. I wasn't able to turn up the amp tonight to experience the full effect. i will report back. I have sent weeks learning to program this unit. and it gets better everyday. The collective knowledge of many beats a single mind everytime.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by grimm26 on 2011-11-14 14:23:14

The "guitar in" plug is TRS on the HD500?

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by lindsayward on 2011-11-15 03:44:17

(Grimm, I'm pretty sure it's just mono, not TRS.)

Thanks for this thread. I've only got headphones to try it out on so far, but I'm certainly noticing a nice difference. I play at church through the desk (no amp) and always felt like my patches were usually too driven in that situation. This helps. I look forward to a "none" setting in the future.

I actually play a Tyler Variax (JTV59), so I set my second input to "Guitar" as my version none.

What I found when experimenting with these is that Guitar is quieter than Aux for me (and Mic is way too noisy).

Also, "Variax Channel 1" and just "Variax" are quite different! With just Variax set, you get BOTH the model + the mags in one input, so if you had an acoustic model on, you would be sending both that and the onboard magnetic pickups to input 1. It doesn't say that in the manual.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by wetredbox on 2011-11-15 14:21:24

I am so stupid. Thanks for that

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by HiBoost on 2011-11-15 21:00:29

So I read this thread while my HD500 was on order and I made this change before strumming a single cord. But after playing for a bit and not being real thrilled with the sound I changed it back for comparison and it sounded way better. When I go from Guitar/Guitar to Guitar/Variax the sound gets much more muffled. This seems to make sense too because you are essentially averaging your guitar input with a flat 0 volt input which would cut the amplitude in half. I'm using the guitar input set normal with a telecaster, strat and les paul. This is with firmware 1.31. So I guess my only point is that people shouldn't blindly override this default because they might be shooting themselves in the foot. Am I the only one that has had this experience? One other point, if you use this "fix" you are breaking all the dual amp tones aren't you? It would seem that one of the two amps would be fed a null signal.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by silverhead on 2011-11-16 05:12:48

HiBoost wrote:

... One other point, if you use this "fix" you are breaking all the dual amp tones aren't you? ..

No, you're not in general. Each Input (1 and 2) is independently fed into the signal chain according to the explanation of Source Input Signnal Routing on page 2.4 of the manual.

You can arrange for the inputs to be routed seperately to Path A and Path B, but the different paths do not directly correspond to the two inputs.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by BryanMichael on 2011-11-16 05:20:21

To HiBoost:

It IS always good to experiment. The point was that by ONLY selecting the guitar IN you are kind of "starting from zero" while summing the inputs CAN and often times DOES result in overdriving the input in my experience. Let me also preface that by saying that with my MIM standard strat, it really isn't an issue because the pickups aren't that hot, but with my Epi LP (customized pickups) it is a big problem and changing the input setting solves the issue.

I also understand what you are saying about the models sounding "duller" but I wouldn't characterize them as "duller" just not as slammed with signal as they are when you select the single input option. What I've found is that selecting only the input you are using keeps the noise floor down as well as a second preamp input or summing tended to add more noise to the overall sound.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by HiBoost on 2011-11-16 06:43:13

silverhead wrote:

HiBoost wrote:

... One other point, if you use this "fix" you are breaking all the dual amp tones aren't you? ..

No, you're not in general. Each Input (1 and 2) is independently fed into the signal chain according to the explanation of Source Input Signnal Routing on page 2.4 of the manual.

You can arrange for the inputs to be routed seperately to Path A and Path B, but the different paths do not directly correspond to the two inputs.

So in that section I see:

Placing an Amp Block or an active mono FX Model in Pre results in a "mix-down" of Input Sources 1 & 2, feeding the same, combined signal into each Path A & B.

Which would give the result described in this thread. However, it also mentions:

In a configuration with no Amp or FX Blocks in Pre, Input 1 is fed only to Path A and Input 2 only to Path B. Therefore, this is the best configuration if you want to retain discrete Input Sources into Paths A & B.

and

By setting Input 2 to "Same," this effectively routes your Input Source to both stereo Paths A & B (which is how you can feed one guitar input into two Amp Models and/or parallel FX, for example).

So that seems to indicate that with tones configured in certain ways having the Guitar/Variax setting would not produce the desired results. The one amp or series of effects would not be heard since it is getting a null signal. Right?

﻿

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by silverhead on 2011-11-16 08:00:34

HiBoost wrote:

...

So that seems to indicate that with tones configured in certain ways having the Guitar/Variax setting would not produce the desired results. The one amp or series of effects would not be heard since it is getting a null signal. Right?

﻿

I'm not sure - I'm a bit confused. Can you provide an example of the Inputs that would do this, and the specific description in the documentation that supports the null signal? Also, please specify what you mean by 'desired results'.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by HiBoost on 2011-11-16 08:23:12

If I have a regular guitar plugged in and have Input 1 set to "Guitar" and then have Input 2 set to "Variax" yet there is no variax, then clearly input 2 will be null, 0, empty, etc. So now if I have a tone set up such that input 1 is path A and input 2 is path B (which is definitely possible based on the documentation I pasted above) then path A will get my guitar yet path B will get nothing... So if I had J-800 on path A and a Blackface on path B but had my inputs configured as Guitar and Variax, the sound I would hear would only be the J-800. On the other hand if I had Guitar / Guitar or Guitar / Same for the inputs then I would get the expected result and have the combination of both amps. Now do you see what I'm trying to get at?

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by spaceatl on 2011-11-16 08:26:49

I think I get what he is talking about...I have found with the HD Bean that I am getting the "desired result" (Which I guess means, I am happy with it?) with single amp tones when I set input 2 to Mic....When I use dual tones or single tones with the AC30 PRE model or the ENGLE PRE I set input 2 same as those models are a tad weaker and I am not on the link with the DT50 getting the gain ramp up from the amp...

maybe there is some confusion in that input configuration is a per patch setting?

Anyway, the HD Bean in simplified example since it doesn't have the Vax input...Other than that, it works the same way on the dual signal paths...

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by DeanDinosaur on 2011-11-16 09:19:42

It all depends on your signal path and how you set it up. So if you begin with an overdrive and and then split the signal, to two amps, even if you set your second input option to Variax, both signal paths A and B will get the overdrive signal What you say is true if you set up a completely discrete signal Paths where each amp has it's own overdrive or whatever, then you must setup input two to guitar.

THis part of the manual will clear the issue and is a must read in my opinion for anyone who really wants to know what they're really doing as they edit patches in the HD 500. Note that the word "PRE" here doesn't mean preamp, and not PRE MIxer, it's right before the signal split. It's easier to understand it if you use the HD EDIT program because you can see it " Before the Rectangle". that's the PRE but POST means after the rectangle and mixer. if you look at the picutre I attached, that would be the only time you must choose somthing for input two to get a sound in Path B. Sometimes I use the configeration in this picutre if I want a simple amp set up, but I put the PAN for Path A at the center (in this case with Variax set up for input 2 I don't have to worry about the fader for path B because no sound will come out of it but I still lower it and use path A). there are so much variables in the HD and you get so many flavors) two . It gives me a more focused sound

About Source Input Signal Routing: It is important to note how POD HD500 actually routes Source Inputs 1 and 2 through Amp & FX Blocks that are positioned “Pre” position. The following behaviors apply:• In a configuration with no Amp or FX Blocks in Pre, Input 1 is fed only to Path A and Input 2 only to Path B. Therefore, this is the best configuration if you want to retain discrete Input Sources into Paths A & B.• Placing an Amp Block or an active mono FX Model in Pre results in a “mix-down” of Input Sources 1 & 2, feeding the same, combined signal into each Path A & B.• Placing a Stereo FX Model in Pre results in the left channel FX output being fed to Path A and its right output to Path B.*

﻿

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by silverhead on 2011-11-16 10:37:36

HiBoost wrote:

...So now if I have a tone set up such that input 1 is path A and input 2 is path B (which is definitely possible based on the documentation I pasted above) then path A will get my guitar yet path B will get nothing...

That depends on whether or not you have any FX in the signal chain before the paths are split, as described in the manual.

So, following your example of Input settings, your Guitar input would be fed to only Path A if there were no Amp/FX before the path split (and yes, in that case Path B would get a null signal), but to both Paths A and B if there were an FX placed before the split.

Placing no FX before the path split in the HD500 creates the X3 Dual Tone scenario where the Tone inputs and the 2 signal paths (Tones) are tied inextricably. And, yes, in the X3 you can create Tone 2 with its amp and FX, and then fail to assign it to an appropriate physical input, resulting in a null signal to Tone 2. Same thing with the HD500 - if you want an input routed to a path you need to understand how the assignments are made and how the routing is done, and then assign the inputs accordingly to get the 'desired result'.

The Guitar=Input 1 and Variax (not connected) = Input 2 on the HD500 , with no FX before the path split, is exactly analogous to the X3 Dual Tone setup with Tone 1 Input = Guitar and Tone 2 Input = Variax (not connected). Yes - you will only hear the Guitar on Tone 1 and nothing on Tone 2. If you want to hear the Guitar on X3 Tone 2 you need to include it in the Tone 2 Inputs. Just like if you weant to hear it on Path B of the HD500 in a prest with no FX before the split you need to include Guitar in the Input 2 setting.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by kvines on 2011-11-17 19:15:46

I had the HD Bean and there is no Variax input selection. Would you recommend setting the second input to Guitar or Mic?

Thanks

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by lindsayward on 2011-11-18 22:50:41

kvines, it's up to you if you want to send the guitar to both signal paths, as described above (then use guitar). If you want to minimise the extra drive by doubling up the inputs (as described by the original post), set it to Mic.

For those still trying to understand this routing business, perhaps set up a dual-amp tone where the amps are very different (clean / dirty) and they're panned hard left / right. Then use headphones so you can hear one tone in one ear and a totally different tone in the other.

Then, as described by numerous posts here now, you should be able to set input 2 to something not connected and get no sound in that ear. If you still get sound, adjust your FX settings. This is how I found out what the "Variax" is compared to the "Variax Ch 1" - by making them very different sounds (in this case guitar sounds).

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by CIM1 on 2011-11-20 12:27:16

lindsayward wrote:

kvines, it's up to you if you want to send the guitar to both signal paths, as described above (then use guitar).

I thought that for this on the HD bean anyway you would generally set Input 1 Source to GUITAR and Input 2 to "SAME" - effectively routing the guitar input to both processing channels - is that not the best approach?

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by spaceatl on 2011-11-20 15:35:47

I think the thing to keep in mind is that both signal paths are stereo....Whether or not you would need input 2 set to "Same" or "Guitar" (same thing on the bean) depends on whether you are using dual tones or not....However, you can use it to push a single amp model harder in single tone patches if you like...But in this case you might need to exercise some caution as some FX model clipping if you over drive them....A really good example of this is the Tape Echo...You can saturate the crap out of the tape and the clipping sounds pretty realistic to my ears...

Basically, whatever approach gives you the results you are looking for is the correct one...In general, I set Input 2 to "Mic" for single amp tones and "Same" for Dual amp tones....However, I do like using the Same option for the Engle, Dr Z and a couple of others...Mainly because I kinda like getting a tad more breakup with the drive set just a little lower...Although the end result saturation is about the same, the tone and response is a little different...kinda like using a clean screamer against a real amp...just more tonal option I think...

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by gu1tarKeith on 2011-11-22 11:36:52

Wow! My patches sound so much better.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by dftpunk on 2011-11-24 00:26:40

Guys, correct me if I'm wrong but:

1) When we set up input1=guitar and input2=same, POD doesn't use any other hardware input - it just splits your input1 into two flows (A and B). So when you use stereo effects your signal will flow both A and B directions.

2) When we set up input1=guitar and input2=Variax POD uses your guitar signal for A flow and Variax hardware input for B flow. It means that you have "nothing" flowing into your B flow. So you could hear loss of the certain amount of signal using stereo effects.

Hence the summary of my post: Using input2 set to whatever unplugged input is WRONG.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by DeanDinosaur on 2011-11-24 04:04:39

Ideally your statement would be correct if there should be an option that sets either input to nothing. your statement is not correct because if you use guitar for 1 and 2 and you're not using two discrete paths, then your signal ends up being doubled so the consensus is setting input 2 to variax is the least noisy.

dftpunk wrote:

Guys, correct me if I'm wrong but:

Hence the summary of my post: Using input2 set to whatever unplugged input is WRONG.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by silverhead on 2011-11-24 05:18:47

dftpunk wrote:

Guys, correct me if I'm wrong but:

1) When we set up input1=guitar and input2=same, POD doesn't use any other hardware input - it just splits your input1 into two flows (A and B). So when you use stereo effects your signal will flow both A and B directions.

That's not correct. Check the manual in the Inputs section where it describes the Input Source Routing for the HD500. While it is possible to arrange your preset so that Inputs 1 and 2 are seperately assigned with Paths A and B respectively, this is not usually the case. Input 1 is often routed through both Paths. Each of Paths A and B is a stereo path.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by Gandalf5150 on 2011-11-24 05:30:12

So are most of us agreed that for most users it's best to set input 2 to Variax?

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by jimsreynolds on 2011-11-24 06:09:48

I like the idea of the global input assign but I wish to heck that you could override it for individual patches. I think it is all about scenarios.

Do you get distortion even on clean channels?

If yes - Input 1: Guitar and Input 2: Variax.

Do you get excessive noise/hum when using a high gain amp model (or running 'effects only' into a high gain amp).

If yes - Input 1: Guitar and Input 2: Variax.

Do you lose half the soundscape on stereo effects in certain patches

If yes - Input 1: Guitar and Input 2: Same. or reassign the routing so that it plays nice (as per Silverhead comment above)

The bottom line is that ... it depends . I default all of my patches manually to Guitar/Variax but it is no big deal to reassign if needsbe. I will not be using the Global.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by Apologist on 2011-11-24 06:15:37

I'm pretty sure you can save input assigns per patch and with 1.4 you can also save input impedance per patch though I just leave mine on default auto.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by jpoprock on 2011-11-30 09:29:27

I'm not sure what you guys are referring to here when you say you "have to do this in every patch" because the inputs are a global setting. As far as I know, unless you're using HDEdit, it's a global setting.

Edit: Check that... I was under the impression that when you hold down the View button to go into the settings menu that these were "global" settings. But to my surprise, they are indeed per patch. That makes sense I guess... but wow, what a pain! Especially if it causes a problem. I've never had mine set any other way but this "wrong way" and i've never noticed my sound being all that bad. I'm about to try it with the Input 1 set to Guitar and input 2 set to Variax (since I do have one!).

Does anyone know if the "Best of HD 500" presets have EVER been tweaked by Line 6? Or are they basically the same exact ones from when the unit was brand new? Some of those tones are beyond ROTTEN and I can't imagine that anyone would even consider using them. To each his own I guess!

Jason

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by silverhead on 2011-11-30 10:37:42

As of firmware v1.40 the Inputs setting is either global or per preset - your choice.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by jimsreynolds on 2011-12-01 01:19:09

You are right: you have the options to either go 'Global' in which case you assign the same Input Configuration and/or Input Z to all patches or 'Preset' in which you assign them to individual patches.

I was arguing that it would be convenient for me to use 'Global' to set to Guitar/Variax but then still being able to override - i.e. an exceptions-based approach - for specific patches..

Effectively the global setting pre 1.40 was Guitar+Same+Mic+Variax+Tintray+Kitchen sink and we overrode it with presets. I would like to go the same way but have a choice of what that initial global default was.

... I am just not bothered enough about it to distract L6 with a feature request

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by dolphinstreet on 2011-12-01 21:24:55

Wow, is certainly a great tip! I can't believe how much difference that made. I too had clipping tone issues, especially with my strat. It was like my strat's action was too low - I got that buzzing tone. After changing input 2 to Variax, I get a MUCH cleaner and more amp-like tone. Remarkable.

Thanks for this find, I am sure happy for it!

Robert.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by tombo007 on 2011-12-14 16:53:41

Thanks for the tip. Wish I would of known this 7 months ago!!

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by Kinslaya on 2011-12-15 15:22:56

I heard the tip with the Variax in Inp 2 right as I got my unit, so i changed every preset to that and thought it was okay.

Now after reading this whole thread I tried few things with the pod.

Some mentioned if u put inp2 as variax, there would be no dual-settings. I always wondered why it didnt worked when i made a preset with 2 amps, both hard panned. It just worked when I put a Screamer in front of both of them (So, as mono). Now I know why

As someone said the only reasonable setting (when just putting in the guitar) would be guitar/same or guitar/guitar. I tried that just a few minutes ago. Man, that sounds awesome as hell and even Dual-Patches worked now.

And the noise? Clipping? Didn't have any of those, the cleansounds stay super clean and the crunchy fenders crunch like they should. My guitar is a Ibanez RGA72 with active IBZ LZ Humbuckers in Neck and Bridge.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by andreasmaniotto on 2011-12-18 22:49:50

Hello! I changed the parameter, something slightly changed, but I still have the same issue : too much gain.

It's like plugging the 1/4 out directly on a mixer, and choose "combo power amp"; you get a innatural distortion, like you have too much input signal.

I get this kind of distortion when I connect my 1/4 out to a Rocktron Velocity 150, and a Marshall 1922 cab. Of course the output is "Stack power amp", and input 1 guitar, input 2 variax.

Can you suggest me something to do please?

Thanks

Andrea

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by titchy on 2011-12-20 00:37:53

I did an experiment last night

I used the HD Vox AC30 model with nothing else.

I turned the gain and bot volumes up to mximum.

I used a Les Paul on the bridge setting

I had turn the volume down on the Les Paul to about 3 before i got rid of the fuzz.

I think ther's still a problem with these Pods but Line 6 aren't saying

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by andreasmaniotto on 2011-12-20 00:44:15

Are you experiencing my same problem?

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by grimm26 on 2011-12-20 07:30:32

titchy wrote:

I did an experiment last night

I used the HD Vox AC30 model with nothing else.

I turned the gain and bot volumes up to mximum.

I used a Les Paul on the bridge setting

I had turn the volume down on the Les Paul to about 3 before i got rid of the fuzz.

I think ther's still a problem with these Pods but Line 6 aren't saying

I've noticed the same thing with the AC30 model. I use it for a Tom Petty tone. I've been trying to figure out whether that was my PA or the HD . Luckily, I wouldn't use that tone with my full bridge humbucker (I go split one coil from each neck and bridge for that patch).

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by DeanDinosaur on 2011-12-22 11:01:13

AC30 is a fuzzy amp if pushed, Try the pad. Even in real world when I switch form my strat to Les Paul, the amp distorts and I have to change settings,

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by grimm26 on 2011-12-23 19:26:48

I have the pad engaged already . I keep it on now and it actually open things up a bit since my signal isn't pushing everything so hard.

I'm encouraged to see that at least that's just the way that amp is in real life, too. I've never played through a real AC30.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by MerlinFL on 2011-12-24 13:09:22

All new patches uploaded to CustomTone. Something weird happened previously where all patches were the same. This should no longer be the case.

Many of my favorites creations I've posted from everything from Acoustic guitars to classic clean and heavy electric tones for both 6 and 12-string guitars.

Hope they are useful to any who might check them out. You can also go directly to them by searching under my ID.

Happy Holidays to all!!

Neal

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by isaaclim89 on 2011-12-25 09:01:16

Alright, so quick question, For single tones, meaning one amp, the agreed settings are input 1 : guitar and input 2 : variax. And for patches that use 2 amps, we use input 1: guitar, input 2: same am i right to say that?

also, i noticed, when i'm make patches with dual tones, even if both the amps are at equal volume and gain, when i turn one of em off, the other one seems softer. so for example, i had one patch with threadplate and uber. i had both at roughly the same vol and gain, but when i turned the threadplate off, the vol of the uber was different from the threadplate, is this normal? thanks guys =)

Isaac

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by grimm26 on 2011-12-25 20:11:27

You can still use input 1: guitar and input 2:variax for 2amp patches. You only need to worry about input 2 if you have a dual tone split from the start. There are posts in this thread that even havea screenshot of hdedit to show this.

I'm not sure I understand your 2nd question. You have your signal runnig through two amps. You turn essentially turn one off. Yes, your output will be softer then with both amps on.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by vartar on 2011-12-26 16:56:13

After reading this and testing the HD500 POD in Samplitude, with comparisons A / B have obtained the following (sorry for my English):

Test 1:

-------

Input A --> Guitar

Input B --> Variax or Aux or Mic

Results: Signal clean, excellent dynamics, only process A, the amplifier works only on A, the road is only mono, B is zero, you can use the stereo ways to use your stereo you have to put a compressor or similar to split the signal in A and B. This can be viewed on any stereo recording using a sequencer like Cubase, Samplitude, Reaper, etc. GOOD AUDIO AND IS THE BEST OPTION If you only want a mono signal.

Test 2:

-------

Input A --> Guitar

Input B --> Guitar

RESULTS: Signal clean, dynamic sound, the audio is slightly dirty in comparison with Test 1, A and B is processed, you can place in A and B amplifiers, the way it can be mono or stereo, is the best option if only want to use two amps in stereo without any pre-set compressor, IN MY OPINION THE BEST commitments if PROCESS IN STEREO AND ALSO GOOD IN MONO.

Test 3:

-------

Input A --> Guitar

Input B --> Same

RESULTS: Signal dirty, fuzzy, dynamic worst in test 2, the audio is notoriously dirty in comparison with Test 2, A and B is processed, you can place in A and B amplifiers, the path is mono or stereo, no is the best option if you want to use two amps in stereo or mono, the audio should be the same as in Test 2 (guitar, guitar), but for some reason the signal doubling Guitar / SAME, it gets dirty, it loses quality and a worse. WORST SCENARIO IF YOU WANT TO PROCESS IN STEREO OR MONO.

I do, you can check using a sequencer.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by luckycwick on 2011-12-26 22:51:20

I'm running direct to 2 channels on PA board panned left and right. I toggled between "same" and "variax" as described above several times. Honestly, I really couldn't hear a difference. In our rehearsal space, I'm able to Tweak the PA and pedal properly, it's normally quite brilliant through PA. However, we play many different venues and you never know what to expect from the PA/monitors. Sometimes it rules, sometimes it's subpar. Do you think that the above described adjustment will help to facilitate a more predictable outcome in sounds?

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by meambobbo on 2011-12-27 00:27:56

I was surprised to see that guitar-same sounded different than guitar-guitar for you. I just tried to see if I could tell the difference, and I honestly don't think I can. I tried switching back and forth on both mono and stereo patches. Are you sure something wasn't different between test 2 and 3 other than the setting?

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by spikey on 2011-12-27 06:15:59

Ok what if you have a Tyler Variax and a nice Strat you would like to use? What I have noticed is that the tuner wont work for the Variax if input 1 set to guitar, and I think its vice-versa for the Strat if set to Variax...?

And so in using both guitars, both plugged into the Hd Pod Pro, which settings would be the best then???

Also- I hope for Line=6 to add per channel settings for the output modes as well, so that I can have a setting for direct/stereo for the board, and also have another patch ready to go for the DT-50 set to Stacked Pwr Amp... So I dont have to switch this ever time....

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by spikey on 2011-12-27 07:15:19

Unless you dont need the tuner for your variax guitar. When I set the input1 to guitar and input2 to Variax, and play my Variax with the digital cable inputs to the Pod HD Pro, the tuner wont work! Is there a setting some place i need to change for the tuner to work for both the Variax and the guitar inputs???

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by grimm26 on 2011-12-27 07:25:58

Then set input1 to the everything selection and input 2 to aux.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by silverhead on 2011-12-27 07:45:36

I believe the Tuner only works on Input 1.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by BigChas52 on 2011-12-27 08:04:17

silverhead wrote:

I believe the Tuner only works on Input 1.

Haha. Yep. I found that out the hard way, during a performance, last week. Looks like I have some patch tweaking to do.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by glenneke on 2011-12-27 08:14:49

A week ago i switched out curiosity on my pod hd (bean) Input: guitar and Output: mic.. soundwise it sounded somewhat cleaner with a liitle gain off. It's not that a big difference and i personally on my pod like the guitar and same settings more

cause it has just that little extra boost for me. But for other people do what you desire what is best for you, obiviously the

setting is there and if you want to use it, use it

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by spikey on 2011-12-27 10:50:45

ok pardon for not understanding, but there is no selection named "aux" ???

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by spikey on 2011-12-27 10:56:08

So if the tuner only works on input one, thats not very handy for live playing when you want both guitars ready to pick up and play at a moments notice. Is Line-6 going to fix or change this?

Edited: I can get the tuner to work on both guitars when "Guitar+Variax Ch 1" is picked for both inputs 1 and 2... I would still request that the tuner work for both 1 and 2 inputs however...

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by grimm26 on 2011-12-27 10:56:57

Do you not have an HD500?

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by silverhead on 2011-12-27 12:57:04

spikey wrote:

... I would still request that the tuner work for both 1 and 2 inputs however...

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by spikey on 2011-12-27 18:32:50

I have a Pod HD pro, not the 500. But I assume they use the same software for this input choice???

And there is no selection named aux i can find...

In any case this HD forum for the Pod HD is all I have to work with so far for the Pro...

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by spikey on 2011-12-27 18:34:51

Done- thanks!

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by nathan217 on 2011-12-28 06:52:43

I have the Mustang III and I am thinking of purchasing a HD 500. How are you running your's with the mustang? Are you going through the FX return and using the POD as your preamp or are you using it in front of the amp? Just curious because I was using a Line6 DM4 in front of my Mustang and it sounded awful unless I cut the volume. It would cause digital clipping if the distortion pedal gave any boost to my clean signal at all.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by saTa on 2012-01-04 05:35:29

Thank you so much for this thread... I was wondering why all sounds had this weird unnatural distortion and found it to be a bit better with the guitar input set to "PAD" which always seemed weird to me considering i mostly play single-coil telecasters...

This instantly improved all my patches. I can't believe I've been using this device for way over a year now with how it sounded before.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by Dshow on 2012-01-06 01:43:24

I think it depends also a bit of the guitar you use and it's output. I don't have that problem with my strat in most of the cases. I agree with others that a option "nothing" would be useful, where the input is disabled completley.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by tplesko on 2012-01-08 08:55:14

HI Meambobbo, thank you so much for posting the guide! Man has it been helpful. I have one question (as a newbi to sound) that is really bothering me. I believe I understand why you suggest to use "No Cab" when going Studio/Direct. When I do that the sound is unusable - entirely digital - something no one would use. What am I doing wrong?

My other dilemna is along the same lines. When I play my patches (including yours) into my headphones it sounds amazing. I do not wish to use an amp as I would prefer to plug directly into our PA so I was guided to simply get a nice powered monitor, which is what I am doing. That said I am confused as I need a cabinet selected to make decent sound, don't I?

Any advice on how to get good sound out of this unit live would be great. It sounds amazing in my headphones but less amazing thru the monitor and my goal is to get the sound coming out of the monitor to sound as good as my headphgone so that I know what the audience is hearing when plugged into our PA. I am using a decent (newer) Alto powered monitor, Studio/Direct, HD500, and many great tones I have made myself and downloaded. I use Guitar and Aux for single amp patches (I have not noticed a difference when selecting others). Lastly, I typcially add a sonic maximizer in the effects loop, which adds a little to the dirty partches I have (it gives it another 10% of good sound, I'd say).

Any advice for a new guy to live sound? Thanks in advance. Please take it easy on the new guy trying to understand how to get excellent live sound out of this amazing device (I know I may be asking some stupid questions).

PS - I really dont want to buy an amp. I prefer to use the monitor, if possible. Thanks!

-Todd

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by mxblake on 2012-01-19 17:21:15

cheers mate this helped me a lot

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by micromnml on 2012-01-21 07:48:16

Wow !

This actually made it sound quite alot better through my mixer. Can hear more dynamics and amps sound much better.

Anyone know if firmware 2.0 might improve on this?

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by Apologist on 2012-01-21 09:23:05

Hmmm I just assumed that would happen anyway. I never really paid attention but I guess I need to go back and check. If not then yea I agree ..it would be nice to choose a global setting you use on most patches and then go through and change things per patch for patches that require a different input setting.

EX: All but 10 patches use a single amp and so you set global to guitar/mic (bean HD) Then go back and for all your dual amps set those per patch to guitar/guitar(same).

I just assumed this was how it worked anyway but now that you posted yer above reply I will have to go look at my settings to verify.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by lelandberg on 2012-01-28 08:07:59

When going direct into a PA, you Definately Should Use a Cab.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by jungjung on 2012-02-01 17:20:31

does this apply to 4cm I think mine sounds great but could it be better?

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by jpoprock on 2012-02-02 11:15:30

Man, this thread makes my brain hurt. I don't totally understand the whole "Split Paths" thing. It's in the manual, but I don't really understand it. And now this "trick" depends on whether or not FX are before or after the split? Ugh. Too much thinking. Plus, having to change HUNDEREDS of patches manually is the biggest drag ever. I wish Line 6 would change the default. Why did they choose to do it this way if it doesn't sound as good? (no I haven't read every post in this thread because i don't have that kind of time!! I wish I did).

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by meambobbo on 2012-02-02 11:52:35

"I believe I understand why you suggest to use "No Cab" when going Studio/Direct. When I do that the sound is unusable - entirely digital - something no one would use. What am I doing wrong?"

I think you misunderstood. I use Studio/Direct output mode in general. When I want to run my Pod into my real power amp and speaker cabinet, I don't change my output mode - I just use patches where the cab model in the Pod is "no cab". This disables cab and mic simulation. I don't need speaker simulation since I'm using real speakers.

When I run direct to a PA or computer, I definitely make sure I select a cab. The only time this isn't the case is when I want to use an IR in my computer.

As far as getting monitor/PA sound to sound as good as headphones, there's a lot of things to compensate for - definitely the difference in frequency response between the headphones and the monitors/PA system, but also the room, and if you are making stereo patches the two channels might interfere with each other in a crazy way. Generally, you need more highs for open air, especially in an ambient room where the reflections are going to interfere with the direct sound.

Bottom line is don't ever expect the tone to sound as good through a PA in a room that is reflecting sound off the walls as a set of headphones.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by sinistralx on 2012-02-11 05:56:33

My 2 cents.... i use the hd500 into Atomic Reactor FR cab,,,, changing the second input to mic or variax... it certainly gives more headroom...

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by daferalo on 2012-02-11 06:19:54

Hi Sinistralx,

The atomic reactor is a active 50W tube power amp, so what about the dynamic and the feeling when using it at low volumes, i. e. at home?

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by sinistralx on 2012-02-11 07:04:03

its stunning all the way through... even at lower volumes. I have only had it for a week...just traded up from a tech21 powerengine60. I seem to be able to hit harmonics much more easily with the atomic.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by pratikb on 2012-02-11 12:31:56

beautiful tones bro...thanks a lot

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by twandel on 2012-02-13 14:07:07

Curious. Do you treat the Atomic set up as a PA or Combo/Stack amp in? And if PA, could you simultaneously use a guitar synth (or other sound source)without bad results?

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by danerada on 2012-02-14 10:53:50

Wow - great thread. I have learned a ton just reading this thread.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by unclejason on 2012-02-15 10:33:36

Learning much from this thread, I am.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by misterax on 2012-02-16 04:46:32

Thanx for this!!!

but

I set input1 to guitar and input2 to variax, and I hear sound in the left (headphones) channel only!is it normal?

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by jimsreynolds on 2012-02-16 05:01:46

Whether you hear Mono or Stereo is all about how you setup your patch.

It is important to note how POD HD500 actually routes Source Inputs 1 and 2 through Amp & FX Blocks that are positioned “Pre” position. The following behaviors apply:

In a configuration with no Amp or FX Blocks in Pre, Input 1 is fed only to Path A and Input 2 only to Path B. Therefore, this is the best configuration if you want to retain discrete Input Sources into Paths A & B.

Placing an Amp Block or an active mono FX Model in Pre results in a “mix-down” of Input Sources 1 & 2, feeding the same, combined signal into each Path A & B.

Placing a Stereo FX Model in Pre results in the left channel FX output being fed to Path A and its right output to Path B.*

The Mixer Block’s Volume and Pan options provide independent control for Path A & B outputs before they are fed through any Blocks positioned “Post” the Mixer.

By setting Input 2 to “Same,” this effectively routes your Input Source to both stereo Paths A & B (which is how you can feed one guitar input into two Amp Models and/or parallel FX, for example).

* Please also see “Model Types and Mono/Stereo Signal Routing” on page 3•6 for more about how mono and stereo FX affect your signal chain.

3.6 Model Types and Mono/Stereo Signal Routing

It is important to note that some Models (all EQs, Wahs & Volume, and some Modulations, Filters, Pitches and Delays, as well as the FX Loop) preserve a stereo output within the signal chain, while others (all Dynamics, Distortions, all Amps & Preamps, and other various Models) are mono FX and do not. The POD HD500 Inputs 1 & 2 are fed into the signal chain as stereo (see “Page 3, Setup: Input Options” on page 2•4). Therefore, wherever a mono FX or Amp Model is inserted, the Left & Right channels of this stereo signal is “mono-ized” and heard as a two-channel mono signal at the Model’s output. To follow are a few examples:

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by cabir on 2012-02-16 06:30:09

the most important tip ever. well, for me atleast.

i never heard any clipping or anything like that, but most of my hi gain patches sounded kinda undefined and muddy. i thought the muddiness was due to too much bass but no amount of cutting the low end either in the amp or using EQs pre or post was doing the job. then i realized that it's not so much mud as much as it seems to lack defination. well, SOLVED. all the patches are sound simple fabulous. thank you original poster.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by martymetcalf on 2012-02-16 15:52:35

I appreciate this thread, I wondered where the noise was coming from. I do not see any global setting on the unit to do this, so I will proceed to adjust every single preset, and I have a crud load in there, and see if it fixes it. I too was going to sell it. We will see.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by jimsreynolds on 2012-02-17 02:51:00

If you have firmware 1.43 , there is an option to make the change globally.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by sinistralx on 2012-02-17 06:45:26

Not sure i understand,, I use Studio/Direct output

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by deejones on 2012-02-22 13:05:05

Picking up on this a bit late....but der me. Hahahah. yeah man I couldn't agree more. Why is there not a 'NONE' setting???? Doesn't make the least be of sense to me. Even if it is for the 'dual tones' - why doesn't the unit automatically switch this stuff instead of making you do it manaully???? Why can't it auto detect it....hmmmmmm.??

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by deejones on 2012-02-22 13:27:01

So has this been addressed yet? Or is there an easy solution for the dumb guys like me that really only wanna use a single amp tone for a block of 4 patches, and on the next block of 4 patches the dual tone setup? I never even bothered to look at this before, so I had no idea, but a few of my guitars really with high end pickups sounded really muddy and highly overdriven and now I know why. Derp me. Oh well, I haven't played live with it yet, so no harm no foul.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by jimsreynolds on 2012-02-23 02:08:38

Yes within the System Options for firmware 1.40 and above, you can now choose whether you want the input settings to be global across all patches or set per-preset.

It's the fourth option on the third page.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by edstar1960 on 2012-02-23 07:50:10

Thanks for simplifying everything jimsreynolds.

I think it also needs to be clarified that you don't necessarily get extra noise if you have multiple choices for INPUT 1 - eg: GUITAR + VARIAX CH1.

The extra noise or over driving of the amp or fx comes from INPUT 2 having the same input selections or SAME specified - then the signal is being SUMMED rather than SPLIT for the fx/amp banks that are in the PRE position before PATH A and PATH B.

Is this a design flaw? If the same input choice is specified on INPUT 1 and INPUT 2 - either by specifying SAME or simply duplicating an input source such as GUITAR - then shouldn't the unit be splitting the signal for that input choice rather than duplicating it and therefore increasing the level of that signal?

I can see that in some instances it may be useful to sum or double the guitar signal to deliver a stronger signal to the amp model - particularly if the guitar has got weak single coil pick ups and you just want to fatten them up a little - however that is probably the exception and from the entries in this thread it seems that most people end up over driving their fx/amp models and not actually realising it - so they end up with a poor sound and just think the HD500 is rubbish because there is no obvious indication they are accidentally over driving the signal chain right at the beginning from the default input choice which many people won't discover for several weeks as they will be too busy playing.

So is it actually a bug that needs to be fixed or is it a feature that just needs to be more transparent (and better explained) with better defaults and some alert or screen that will indicate when signals are being over loaded due to duplicated input sources?

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by deejones on 2012-02-23 09:24:50

Oh, we derp me again.....hahahahaha. TY man.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by meambobbo on 2012-02-23 17:31:06

that sounds weird to me - i could swear it's the same tone just one louder than the other. can you post your patch where you noticed the difference?

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by jpoprock on 2012-02-28 12:15:39

So, I'm getting ready to flash to 1.43. Prior to this update, I had to go into EVERY PRESET via HD500Edit and change source 1 to Guitar, and source 2 to Variax. I did this because everyone here said it made a huge difference, but I don't know if It did or not. To me, It sounded the same.

Are you then saying that after I install 1.43, I can do this GLOBALLY, rather than having to go through each patch one at a time and changing them? Because that was a GIANT drag that took way too much time.

Has anyone from Line 6 ever confirmed or denied this issue? Why does it matter in the sound of the unit? I go to a power amp and a 2x12 amp sometimes (Because I like the way a mic'd cab sounds), or I go direct to the church PA. Either way I'm at the mercy of the sound man. The thing is, I've dialed in my tones via the cab... so I KNOW how it sounds. My direct sound can be good or bad depending on what headphones I'm wearing, so I don't trust it. I could spend an hour tweaking my direct sounds with some $200 Bose S1 in ear monitor headphones, then put my AKG K-240's on, and it will sound totally different. The headphones are both great, but they are also both totally different. The in ears can throw you if they are seated in your ears perfectly. The AKG's are accurate, but slightly colored sounding AND the impedence is very low, which to me means you almost need a headphone preamp to get them loud.

Also, why is it every punk kid I see aged 10+ is wearing $200 Beats headphones? Are parents STUPID? I've heard them and thought they sounded great for what they are intended for. So do the Bose over ear Quite Comfort headphones. But these kids... amazing how spoiled some kids are. My son said that all of his friends have them. But my son is fine with his $15 Skull Candies... so he doesn't ask for anything "better". He's a good boy. It was just a rant... sorry. LOL!

J

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by jpoprock on 2012-02-28 12:24:05

I wish I understood this Split amp thing. I NEVER have time to gone on a tone exploration, and then I'm asked to play at church... and I've ran out of time to get deep into it. I like quite a few of Glen Delune's patches, and many of his are dual amp. But I go out of the left or right 1/4" and feed a power amp mono to a mono cab, and I think that his patches sound fine.

what if I were to go direct to the board, mono? There is no way the church is going to mess with stereo XLR channels for my guitar. They just won't do it. Too much time would go into that, and it would foul up their scenes I'm sure. We run a rotation of players, and consistancy is best. One guy goes to a mic'd cab, and the other goes direct. THe direct guy has aweful distortion, but that's because he doesn't have a lot of "taste" for it. he's older and jazzy. Myself and the other 40 something rocker like to mic our off stage cabs... and we've been told our tons are great.

So why go direct if micing the cab is fine? Why not?! Less to worry about, less to go wrong with a cable, etc. I want to try it, but I don't know how this stupid Input 1 and Input 2 dilemma is going to affect my sound or my patches. I wouldn't normally mess with a two amp patch, but these GD patches take advantage of it.

Bottom line: What do I need to "globally select" that will sound the best for mono out, that sorta sums the patches into one? If I plug headphones in, I'm gonna get stereo out. But if I send an XLR to a DI to the Board, it's not going to sound right is it? What do I need to change to make sure it DOES. That's my question.

J

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by grimm26 on 2012-02-28 12:27:36

You could have set that globally in 1.40, also. Always shape your tone using the equipment you will play live/record with. Unless your audience is going to listen to you through headphones, headphones are a convenience for practice - nothing more.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by PaulBateman on 2012-02-28 12:29:41

jpoprock wrote:

Also, why is it every punk kid I see aged 10+ is wearing $200 Beats headphones? Are parents STUPID?

yes.... lol... the real shame is they are listening to some crappy 128kbps rip of justin beiber or drake with those nice headphones.. haha...

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by grimm26 on 2012-02-28 12:34:41

Even if a patch is "dual tone" that doesn't make it stereo. Unless the very first thing in the patch is the split of the paths to each amp path (or a stereo effect), your patch is mono. Any mono effect in the path before the amp paths makes the patch mono. In all likelihood, your patches are mono.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by jpoprock on 2012-02-28 12:44:55

@Grimm26 said:

You can still use input 1: guitar and input 2:variax for 2amp patches. You only need to worry about input 2 if you have a dual tone split from the start. There are posts in this thread that even have a screenshot of hdedit to show this.

I hate this forum, but i love the forum members. Why? because you see that little search box in the upper right hand corner? I typed in dual tone split and guess what I got? NOTHING pertaining to this thread. Most forums have a drop down box that allow you to "seach this thread", or "Subscribe to this thread", etc. I have never liked the way this forum is laid out and I've let it be known several times. I spend more times looking in the wrong places for answers then I do finding the answer. I refuse to even search because you'll end up in FAQ's, Community, Tech Support Documents, etc. I don't want that. I want to hear from DUDES WHO USE this stuff. Not some stock answer the book gives.

My cell phone manual along with the Verizon website says nothing about rooting my phone to make it super sweet. Yet, you can, and it's awesome. That's my point.

So, I still have no clue what a "dual tone split from the start" looks like.

If you guys have never downloaded or heard Glenn DeLaune's patches... do yourself a favor and check them out. Not only are they great, but they are VERY creative. In fact, I don't understand the logic behind how he makes these patches. They just work! He has some Youtube vids showing you all kinds of tips too.

He's big on using an Expression pedal which I don't own. I wish I did. I've heard that many of them on the market are JUNK, so I don't know which to buy. But he controls the gain output of a dist pedal with one, and the overall output vol w/ the other I think. Very cool! But if you don't have an expression pedal, it can really throw you.

I also don't understand how or why anyone would want to use all 8 FS buttons. How do you scroll to your patches? Manually? You can only go up and down, not side to side right?

Again, sorry for the rant. Messing with my HD500 (that I love btw), always sends me over the edge with confusion and the end result is the same... I do nothing about it because I don't have time to sift through hours of posts to find a simple answer. HA! I know, I'm a jerk. Sorry. I'm really not... I swear.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by grimm26 on 2012-02-28 13:00:06

jpoprock wrote:

So, I'm getting ready to flash to 1.43. Prior to this update, I had to go into EVERY PRESET via HD500Edit and change source 1 to Guitar, and source 2 to Variax. I did this because everyone here said it made a huge difference, but I don't know if It did or not. To me, It sounded the same.

Are you then saying that after I install 1.43, I can do this GLOBALLY, rather than having to go through each patch one at a time and changing them? Because that was a GIANT drag that took way too much time.

Has anyone from Line 6 ever confirmed or denied this issue? Why does it matter in the sound of the unit?

From section 6-2 in the HD500 Advanced Guide:

"Note that when utilizing both Inputs 1 & 2 (or when using “SAME” for either of these Input options) the two Input signals are combined to allow them to be fed into any Amp or mono FX Model within the Pre position, which can result in a hot signal level. Reduce your instruments’ volume as needed to avoid overloading your Pre-positioned Models."

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by grimm26 on 2012-02-28 13:04:09

jpoprock wrote:

@Grimm26 said:

You can still use input 1: guitar and input 2:variax for 2amp patches. You only need to worry about input 2 if you have a dual tone split from the start. There are posts in this thread that even have a screenshot of hdedit to show this.

I hate this forum, but i love the forum members. Why? because you see that little search box in the upper right hand corner? I typed in dual tone split and guess what I got? NOTHING pertaining to this thread. Most forums have a drop down box that allow you to "seach this thread", or "Subscribe to this thread", etc. I have never liked the way this forum is laid out and I've let it be known several times. I spend more times looking in the wrong places for answers then I do finding the answer. I refuse to even search because you'll end up in FAQ's, Community, Tech Support Documents, etc. I don't want that. I want to hear from DUDES WHO USE this stuff. Not some stock answer the book gives.

My cell phone manual along with the Verizon website says nothing about rooting my phone to make it super sweet. Yet, you can, and it's awesome. That's my point.

So, I still have no clue what a "dual tone split from the start" looks like.

If you guys have never downloaded or heard Glenn DeLaune's patches... do yourself a favor and check them out. Not only are they great, but they are VERY creative. In fact, I don't understand the logic behind how he makes these patches. They just work! He has some Youtube vids showing you all kinds of tips too.

He's big on using an Expression pedal which I don't own. I wish I did. I've heard that many of them on the market are JUNK, so I don't know which to buy. But he controls the gain output of a dist pedal with one, and the overall output vol w/ the other I think. Very cool! But if you don't have an expression pedal, it can really throw you.

I also don't understand how or why anyone would want to use all 8 FS buttons. How do you scroll to your patches? Manually? You can only go up and down, not side to side right?

Again, sorry for the rant. Messing with my HD500 (that I love btw), always sends me over the edge with confusion and the end result is the same... I do nothing about it because I don't have time to sift through hours of posts to find a simple answer. HA! I know, I'm a jerk. Sorry. I'm really not... I swear.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by jpoprock on 2012-02-29 13:35:25

Grimm26... thanks for your help. I think i'm good to go. If you say that most likely my patches are "mono", then I'd have to agree. Unless there are quite a few "Stereo" patches that are "stock". But I don't really use many dual amp splits, and I wouldn't be surprised if they were mono. The only super geeky patches I've ever seen were from Glenn Delaune, but they are some of the best that I've heard yet.

With regards to setting up my patches... i'm going to have to stick with the amp/cab until I'm able to gain access to the soundboard and allowed to sit at the board with my HD500 and play until I'm sick of playing. If I've got someone standing over me wanting to chit chat and offer suggestions, then I'd rather not deal with it. I was told that I can do this whenever I want... I just have to arrange for it in advance. But there is nothing more annoying than to listen to someone go on a tone odyssey at high volumes for hours on end. HA!

J

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by mhspeights on 2012-03-01 09:55:33

Thanks all for this thread. I have been working exculsively "studio direct" since upgrading from my POD XT to the HD 500 and my patches have exibited overdriven cleans (not in a good crunch way) and overall were thin sounding. From the beginning I could not dial in a good clean sound, but I am much closer given this information on inputs 1 and 2. Of course it diminished my overall level, but that can be compensated for.

I work in situations where live amps are not appropriate or not allowed. I am really hoping to move into this digital realm and not have to use an amp, but I am really missing the warmth. If I were exclusively a head banger this thing would be great, but in addition to playing rock I need to be able to fit in with tradtional jazz quartets as well as perform with in-ears sitting with the cellos right behind me in a full symphony orchestra. The warm clean sounds are paramount.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by D_Hollingsworth on 2012-03-14 21:34:08

JP, check out the expression pedals from mission control. They have one for Line 6 devices built on a heavy frame like a Cry Baby Wah. Or you can get a broken Cry Baby and gut it. Keep the rack, mono jack, gear and rack for the pot. Then add a CTS 10k linear pot and wire it appropriately to the mono jack. Add the gear to the pot, close up the shell and you're good to go.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by unclejason on 2012-03-15 11:35:16

Yeah my metal patches were sounding muddy but I threw in the tube compressor and that tightened everything up.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by magpie on 2012-03-24 23:18:06

Good info in this thread!

Any suggestions for HD Bean owners?

The Bean doesn't have the variax input option,

only "guitar, mic and same".

Cheers!

edit:

I found a good answer on page two.

I assume it would be wise to turn the mic level knob all the way down when setting 2nd input to mic input?

lindsayward wrote:

"kvines, it's up to you if you want to send the guitar to both signal paths, as described above (then use guitar).

If you want to minimise the extra drive by doubling up the inputs (as described by the original post), set it to Mic."

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by nYdGeo on 2012-03-28 06:54:10

Good day one and all! I stunbled on to the thread late last night and I believe that I've stumbled onto the cause of the occasional, horrific sounding solid-state distortion I've heard from time to time. The fairly high output of the active EMG's in my guitar probably wasn't helping. So, with little time left before I had to retire for the night, I took a tone that I downloaded (no more tears (standard Zakk Wylde + mild chorus)) and changed Input 1 from...whatever it was, to "Guitar", changed Input 2 from "Same" to "Variax".

I didn't have time to see if this lowered the overall noise level, etc., I just noticed that overall the tone is not quite as loud (which doesn't matter), and (this does matter) it appears that the gain has dropped a fair amount. My simple question, and I apologize in advance if this is truly simple mnded, is this: do I simply up the gain a bit on the compressor, overdrive, or possibly the amp's Preamp setting in the patch to get the gain back? I understand that I may have to experiment to find out which the above or which combination of the above needs to be adjusted to maintain the tone, but...is that it?

Thank you for your time.

(On a more personal note, I've just started playing again after a 12-year break, and the HD 500 is as mind-boggling as it is amazing. I cannot believe how much like an amp it behaves. I setup a JCM 800 (a familiar, old friend) with nothing else, set everything in the Preamp section to the "10" and set the 'power amp' to "10" as an experiment. Its not a hot-rodded 800 so it has moderate gain, and sounds both familiar and quite nice through the 4x12 Celestion 25wt greenback cab sim. A bit of tube overdrive added some gain. Rolling off the guitar's volume cleans it up very much like it used to do on my amp, so playing the verse sections of "Running With The Devil" sound just right. I don't know how this device appears to be so dynamic and responsive, but I like it.)

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by meambobbo on 2012-03-28 10:31:04

i've said this a number of times and confirmed it with recordings, but setting input 2 to variax does not change the input tone, only the signal level. so there's really no point to change your input settings then try to boost the level back to where it was. you'll spend a lot of time ending up where you started.

if you really want to go down this road, i'd start with the compressor, reducing its threshold (or boosting its sustain) to get the same amount of compression you formerly had, and setting the level to get the same volume. depending on how the compressor works, you might not get exactly the same tone, and you could mess with the stuff downstream afterwards to compensate, but you should start close to the input and work down the chain.

and as i've also warned, if you do use input 2 variax on a dual amp patch where there are no mono effects before the split, you are essentially sending channel B a null signal and will not get the desired output.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by nYdGeo on 2012-03-28 11:05:18

I gotcha. It is true that in my case, the overall sound, the tone doesn't change at all that I can perceive. But after the change to Input 2, the overall volume dropped a bit (expected and doesn't matter), but it also seems to be a bit more difficult to get those squealing pinch harmonics off of the 6th-string, 3rd-fret that are all over Zakk's tracks. It seemed logical that if the input level going into an environment modelling a gain device was lowered, it might display a small drop in gain.

This could be similar to what one might experience going from an EMG Active Humbucker equipped guitar to a Strat on the same preset. The weaker, single-coil signal of the Strat is going to dislay itself as if having less gain, along with a drastic change in sound of course, though in fact in this example, the actual gain structure of the preset tone itself has in fact not actually changed.

Also, please bear in miind that I did not get to play with it much after making the change last night as my days start very early. I'll play with it this evening when I get home. You may be right and I'll find that its the same, just at a slightly lower volume.

Thanks for the input, and for elaborating more on the signal path thing. I believe that the way the official documentation explains this is rather poorly worded. Its folks like you elaborating on it, and clarifying it in these forums that has helped me to understand it.

Thank you for your time.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by CHAMPY7 on 2012-03-28 14:39:40

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by kjmccann on 2012-03-29 04:00:07

Meambobbo,

Mate, I know it has been said before but the document you have put together is an absolute essential piece of reading for anyone who owns an HD500. I've gone from being totally frustrated with the thing to being totally blown away by it again.

I've got a summer filled with cover gigs this year and I'm going to sound a lot better as a result of taking the time to go through your document.

Thanks man.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by Karma180 on 2012-03-29 19:56:39

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by mazuwa on 2012-03-30 04:14:19

Let us suppose you only have one real guitar getting into Guitar Input 1 and you only want to use this guitar:

Now it depends on the preset:

- if you have true stereo effects before a dual path like EQ, then use "SAME" to feed both channels.

- if you have a mono effect before a single or dual path like a compressor, then use "VARIAX" because it produces less noise than "AUX", "SAME" would increase input volume at +3db because you doube the mono signal input. No matter what VARIAX channel (1or 2).

- Choose also "SAME" if you have two channels (Path A + B) and want to change sound by panning or so.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by anglepod on 2012-04-09 22:39:27

Best way to deal with the issue is set the input 1 to Guitar and the 2nd to Aux, I split feed the inputs from a buffer pedal I have up front. Is the quietest setting which does not impede the sound on any split A-B channel thing. Using "same" makes for noise. I find various effects just add a terrible noise floor most rely on the gate to choke off the noise floor which also kills the normal dynamic of the true guitar tone. I only use one when I have to. I work to get the amp sounding as good as possible and usually I find using the PREamp model with the cabinet works the best and is more articulate w less bad clipping gain.

I also find putting the impedance on "Auto" seems like it makes for less noise.

The new 2.02 update allows you to set this "Global' for every preset on the above settings instead of having to change it everytime you create something.

Check to the left of the previous Guitar/Same settings, it's a new feature.

I gave up on trying to use the loop, just added noise even w nothing on. Dropped off my various pedals I had hoped to integrate just were not sounding that great through the loop no matter the technique I tried on levels and tricks.

I run my POD into a rackmount BBE line level unit into an ART SL1-A power amp (100watt, stereo, 8 ohms) works great, my output config is on direct full power out. Hard to imagine someone said that did not drive their Crown Power amp. The level is very high. Master unit volume is at 3:00 almost too much drive.

Sounds killer on my split 4x12 cab, very much like the real amps and feel. I like the BBE myself, some recording guys don't like it but it is probably from using it wrong. Mine never goes above 11:00 on the Lo contour and 12:00 on the Hi process. Less is more and correcting the phase lag just makes my amp models have more clarity punch and presence. Guitar Player rated the unit very high as a must have enhancement pedal. I agree, used correctly, it is NOT an effect pedal. I use my new line level rack unit on my HD500 as it is 2 channel. I wanted this unit for some cool amp experiements and it did not disapoint. I would prefer less effects and more useful ones as so many just do not function in a normal world for performance tones. Nothing can touch my Wampler Compressor.

Sometimes I find I have to click the PAD level on the input to keep the levels from clipping,

Having given up on the loop I run a Wampler Compressor>>Wampler Esctasy OD>>Fulltone DejaVibe>>>Radial PB-1 buffer/class A boost which I have a split jack on that feeding both the main and aux inputs. These are just remainers from my former massive pedal board which just sound better than anything in the unit.

Although, I am finding uses for some of the DYN effects like the Tube Preamp and new Vintage Tube Mic Preamp. Just set clean to enhance. I find most of the delays and reverbs very good, some exceptional.

MY major flaw lacking on the unit is having no special way to reset the default values on various effects so when you bring them on they are in the range that you would use them.

Another major flaw I have on mine is the SAVE "Bundle" and "Preset" function, simply does not work, Acts like it saves the file, try to reload it or open it and it is empty, everything changed to "new tone". Not anything I am doing just is not saving the files correctly. Anyone seeing this??

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by deathovsky on 2012-04-26 05:46:04

Is it possible (and how) to use HD500 for recording DI tracks ? Or I need to get additonal DI box...?

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by MerlinFL on 2012-04-26 12:09:20

I thought I would post a copy of my reply from the "Why did Line 6 Stop Making Vettas Forum" here since this is a forum entitled "What Every HD500 Owner Needs To Know". I thought this reply would qualify based on many questions and discussions in other Dream Rig, POD HD, and DT50/25 forums...

Here's a photo of my rig with my 2003 Vetta sitting on top. When in 2006 I got my first Variax guitar, I was able to easily purchase the VDI interface for my Vetta. It's a very easy install as well since Line 6 planned for it in advance and there is a blank panel with just one ribbon cable that needs to be reroutedinto the VDI panel, then plugged back in.

Since 2007 when Line 6 "officially" stopped producing Vetta II amps and spent nearly all their amplifier development time with Bogner upgrading the Spider amp line, while also developing the POD HD/DT line of products were designed. While a completely different team took over the design of the JTV guitar line from the original Variax designers a Line 6.

This last sentence is just a guess...but considering nothing new was done from 2005 when the first Variax guitars were introduced until the latest 1.81 upgrade which included (3) 6-string & (2) 12-string modified acoustic guitar models from just that one bank. Oh, I should mention (all of which are just my opinion) that the modeling of all guitars ranges from greatly improved to slightly improved with the original 1.70 software that came with the first batch of JTV line of guitars.

I felt the most improved were the acoustic models in 1.71, and least improved were the Rickenbacker electric 12-string guitar models from the original Variax guitar models. I'm sure that this will be addressed in some future JTV update. Right now, resolving the alternate tuning problems with the new acoustic guitar models is most likely the top priority for the techs working on this aspect of the JTV guitar modeling.

If what you've heard is true about newer version of the Vetta amps being produced in the future...I'll look forward to that day with great anticipation. However, if you have the time, the desire, and the finances (or payment plans in my case) - I suggest combining the two as I've done with the older Vax guitars and the new JTV guitars.

I've also added a pair of Roland GR-55 units since they are truly excellent units, relatively small price tag for their capabilities, and the GK-3 pick-ups for both my older Variax guitars connect to one GR-55 in Guitar Mode and one GR-55 in Bass Mode for my 6-string Tobias bass.

I honestly can't think of anything more I could use beyond this collection of gear. I know there are other modeling units available, but I've not had any opportunity to do more than watch demo videos and read what others think. I started my exclusive Line 6 guitar use such a long time ago, and after all this time and financial investment - I can't see any reason to switch to a completely new guitar system. Most importantly, I'm very pleased with all I was able to compile over the years allowing me to play nearly any sound I wish as well as any style of music I'm capable of.

I also just posted a 2-part demo of the Line 6 Dream Rig in various acoustic modes to respond to a request asked of me in the Dream Rig forum. Heres a photo of my rig, plus a link to my demo/instructional videos if any here would wish to check out just one aspect of the new Line 6 gear in action without any additional gear.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by anglepod on 2012-04-26 19:04:33

Sweet. Rather an infinite supply of busy and tweaking going on there. Where do you put the kitchen sink and wet bar attachment? Bass pedals, my god, I always wanted some of those.

I would love to have a new synth. I had the previous model and loved it. I had that puppy running in L/R stereo through the effect returns on 2 twins w my main Marshall delivering the main heavy tone of the guitar. You should have seen the faces on the band and others when I tracked this huge human choir tone paired with my heavy distortion. Think Diary of a Madman on one guitar. God I miss that puppy. I could drag out the old one and remount a pickup but I would rather test drive the new one. My budget just died this month with my wife taking another pay cut, no more gear for me for awhile, lucky I had just got my new POD HD rig setup. Have not understood how to do pics here yet. So was the Vetta another processor model? I love a couple of the effects they put in the POD from that, the wah and the juice are quite good.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by eldannydemex on 2012-05-22 19:01:58

hello there is it posible that u can tell me how i can put the original performance view screen on the pod

i accidentally do something and now the screen dont show all the effects that i have on the any patch but only the top 4 from fs1 to fs4

fs 5 to fs 8 are to change patches on the bank.

please help.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by Brazzy on 2012-05-22 20:42:09

Keep clicking the View Button till you get the View you need.

EDIT: Silverhead has a Good Point there.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by silverhead on 2012-05-23 05:29:12

Press and hold the VIEW button to enter Setup mode. Change the FSMODE parameter value to FS5-8; it seems like your current setting is ABCD. This global parameter adjusts the behaviour of the bottom row of footswitches - they can be used to select presets A-D in the current bank, or to operate as FX footswitches 5 to 8.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by anglepod on 2012-05-24 08:31:39

One of the cool feature of the unit is the ability to use the bank up and down switches to get the group of 4 one wants then use 5-8 to hit the preset you want.

Having the unit set to effects on/off for 5-8 reverts right back to that setting after selecting the new preset.

I always keep my view set to see which of the 8 switches are on or off. I always set my configuration switches to an order that makes sense for me from preset to preset. I use 1 for wah, 7 for delay and 8 for reverb while the others follow the order of the chain in the preset.

By the way, the heavy duty Mission L6-1 expression pedal is really great for that old style heavy duty wah feel.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by tommygunn on 2012-06-13 21:44:20

Hope I am not out of line or highjacking here but has anyone ever tried using the ZT Lunchbox amp with the Pod HD 500? I don’t gig anymore and am a little to old to be carrying the heavy amps…lol. Loved my Spider 75, dropped to the 30 and even that is heavy to carry….well for me it is…haha. Anyhow, I just go to my local jams now and would love to use my JT Variax with my Pod HD 500 but instead I am using a Fender G-Dec 3/30 watt and the Variax because it is fairly light to carry. I am now plugging the pod into the aux in of the G-Dec, so I am just wasting the amp by only using the aux in.

So back to my question, is anyone familiar with this little amp and if so how does it sound with the Pod 500? It was nice just walking into the jam with my amp in my left hand and Variax over my right shoulder. I would like to be able to walk in with my Pod 500 and amp in my left hand and JT Variax over my right should. So am I asking for to much? lol

Thanks and again I am sorry if I posted in the wrong area.

Tommy

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by anglepod on 2012-06-15 14:10:39

The potential of the HD POD is relative to what one uses to amplify it. At least w that lunchbox you have all the watts in the world, which is always a peave for me when dealing with the ever popular low wattage amps. It gets tiresome trying to explain and/or argue that the basis of loudness is not wattage, and "loudness" only increases 3db to every doubling of wattage power. The olnly thing I have heard about the lunch box series is some do not like the tone but they say the overdrive is OK. I would not listen to most reviews especially since the POD processor is an entirely different animal. I find most reviews in general to be quite badly rendered. Have to love the ones about the HD POD where they try out a factory preset through whatever guitar or amp they happen to be using and find it not all that great to their expectations. Really?? Play a model through my rig and close your mouth after the jaw drop.

That being said the lunchbox is still a small size speaker which limits bass response somewhat and I am also not a huge fan of single speakers. Now 2 little amps allowing the POD to run a true stereo feed is a cool thing. I hear great things about the Line6 DT amps which are small but sound great, they do make a nice 2x12 model w decent wattage but the end result is still mono. Tube amps are heavy due to the transformers required.

Convience, easy set up and carry is a compromise to ones overall sound and tone. Do what suits you. I know what works best but that tends to get ever so more difficult to carry and setup. I am not playing or jamming w anyone these days so it is of no concern to me. When I did haul my rig it took the better part of an hour for me to load in and set up. But the tone was killer.

Maybe try leaving your amp rig at the practice area or perhaps if you chaps use a PA, just pipe the POD into the PA mixer. Again mono works but stereo is always better. As to be able to carry everything in one trip, I am afraid that is not something I have ever experienced as I often carry 3 or 4 guitars. I am also partial to my beloved 4x12 cab. Now my power amp and BBE unit, that is an easy carry. When I got my new HD500 I wanted to experiement with the unit to see just how far it could go and just how good one could get the amp models to sound. I built a special rig just for it, although I had to compromise on the issue wanted 2 cabs for a wider stereo spread and I use my 4x12 split wired, which works but isolation is better. Now that I have experienced the full elements of stereo panning and dual amp options on the POD I would not be happy w a mono config.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by tommygunn on 2012-06-19 06:24:01

Thanks anglepod for your reply and great info and sorry for the delay in responding but I have been away for a few days. Anyhow my biggest reason for inquiring is the weight and as I only play at jams were there isn't always a PA system to patch into I take my GDec. I get a great sound out of the aux input but as mentioned .... a total waste of a decent amp.

So back to my original question "but has anyone ever tried using the ZT Lunchbox amp with the Pod HD 500". I am real curious to know how it sounds so this is really what I am asking. I do realize that it is only a small speaker but it may do for what I need and help this old man with a bad back....lol.

Thanks again,

Tommy

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by anglepod on 2012-06-20 01:12:46

I cannot see why that lunchbox or the 60watt TECH21 engine speaker would not work well. I like the watts on that lunchbox but what a small speaker in that puppy. I have always been partial to 12" guitar speakers and preferably twins or my beloved 4x12. Had I really not had my great cab I would probably have tried a pair of the TECH21 engine speakers for good wattage, 12" speakers and stereo spread.

I miss playing with the band but my life sort of moved into a different direction and I cannot deal with the lifestyle or the type of cats I ended up being around. When it stopped being fun the soul pretty much went out of it for me. It was fun playing and a labor of love to haul the gear and setup but I am pretty much retired at this point and just play because I love the guitar. Seems like you eventually reach a point where delusions of stardom seem ridiculous to ponder. I could not handle that teenage high school mentality in some self destructive fools. Maybe at some point I will run into some players who would like to jam, maybe some heavy fusion. but I do not lose sleep over it.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by joel_brown on 2012-07-06 10:16:51

I just bought the Pod HD Desktop and it has the same issue. I have to set the Input1 to Guitar and Input2 to Mic. Then it works much better. Until reading this post I had reduced the input impedance from 1m to 70k which helped. This info should be in BIG HUGE LETTERS stating how important this setting is. I was getting very frustrated with the HD, now I understand and love it.

btw - big thanks to the Line6 guys. It takes time to learn and tweak the HD but I'm extremely happy. I've spent well over 20 hours just getting a handful of presets to work the way I like, but in the end they can out the way I wanted them to sound. The almost endless combinations that can be put together is great. It's hard to believe they can put out a product this nice for such a low price.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by anglepod on 2012-07-07 13:54:20

I think in general the more one digs into the unit the more interesting it gets. I actually have about 10 sheets of info on my wall for reference of DSP useage, which are true stereo, a param list chart someone did, and a few progamming tips as I cannot remember them all.

I experienced a lot of hiss when I first rigged up the unit. Changing the secondary input to one you are not using helps cut some noise, setting on "same" always seems to add hiss. I got the best results splitting my pre POD chain feed at the last pedal to feed both the Guitar & Aux inputs, that is the best of all scenerios.

I also caution new users on their presets not to over output level the various effects as this adds a ton of noise floor hiss and digitial clipping. The old school of thought regarding "signal to noise ratio" like you would slightly boost the level on your pedals into another is a different animal on the POD. It takes very little level issue to properly work and I think one will find if they keep the levels more unity the results will be better. A good test of a preset is the noise floor with the NR gate off, a little on higher gains is just normal but cleans should be relatively quiet. Exceptions are of course diliberatly hitting the amp front end for overdrive, BUT, the amount of boost needed is not like using pedals into a std amp. I use external compression, clean boost, overdrive, and higher gains for options before the POD and they all work against the amp front end very much like a tube amp responds just set moderate level. I have seen some "user" presets which will gain the outout of an effect all the way up into the amp model for overdrive, way too much, shut off that gate and run from the room hiss. This is a digital unit and it is not that digital is a bad thing I just think sometimes the thinking of analog and normal pedal to amp ideology is misplaced.

My recent POD rig using a power amp. All the front end pedals are set at unity level or the clean boost on the Radial buffer is like 10db maybe. (Wire mess has been cleaned up.)

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by Akeron on 2012-07-07 15:27:38

Zeppelin fan? I like the "Zoso" on the cabinet

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by anglepod on 2012-07-08 01:46:08

A little homage to the gods. Pagey was a big influence on me in the younger days. Plus I just love a little mysticism and coolness. Few know what that symbol pertains to and I just love what the fundies make up about it.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by jimsreynolds on 2012-07-08 01:50:36

Wasnt that the one where John Bonham and John Paul Jones were invited to choose their esoteric symbols from a book, not knowing that Pagey and Plantey had commissioned a designer to come up with theirs!

Sorry, very off topic here,

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by anglepod on 2012-07-08 02:23:10

Jimmy's sign comes from very old book of magic runes and represents his astrological sign of Capricorn and Saturn.

I have not looked a lot into the other ones much bit no doubt Pagey was always more heavy and mystical.

Was just rather cool.

The basis of the sign is astrology. I saw Plant's feather somewhere but cannot remember where. Despite the evil made up nonsense which comes from further made up nonsense it is just a reference to Pagey's astrological signs and his love of the mystical magical mystery.

I would love to find a stencil work of my signs, Virgo w Mercury rising, now that is a spooky symbol. A lot of the drawings of Mercury look like a horned devil. But alas it's just a helmet.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by Line6Tony on 2012-08-06 09:11:51

Sounds fun, guys, but very off topic. Please start a new thread to continue. Thanks.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by jtpratt on 2012-09-06 08:33:38

I just wanted to say thanks for posting this. Exact same situation - had my POD500 2 weeks and was already wanting to sell it. I couldn't remember my old XT live sounding bad (ever) as compared to this. I couldn't figure out why even through headphones it sounded so bad until I read this...

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by meambobbo on 2012-09-06 12:30:37

I felt I needed to post on this thread. I had for a long time denied a real difference other than signal level between Input 1:Guitar Input 2:Guitar/Same and Input 1: Guitar Input 2: Variax (Null). Well I was wrong. I think what through me off is when I really tried to test the issue, I was using clean tones, which are less noticeable for the difference.

To be very clear about the difference, setting Input 1 Guitar Input 2 guitar/same means that the two input signals are slightly out-of-sync. For darker, cleaner tones, the difference is so small it is negligible. For brighter, distorted tones, there is a more obvious phasing-type sound and comb-filtering in the tone. Some of the highs are wiped out. The overall feel of the tone is looser. For dual amp tones with no mono-summing effects in front the channel split, it's more difficult to hear. If your amp is in front of the channel split or you have a mono-summing effect in front the split, the tonal difference is much more obvious.

Now, at first Input 2: Guitar/Same can sound better - you have a hotter input signal and thus get more distortion. The comb filtering can darken the tone causing it to sound "thicker". And the slight delay can make the tone sound a bit beefier as well. But once you compensate for these things with Input 2 Variax/null, the difference is night and day. Everything is crisper and tighter. You can dial in the beefier low end and hotter distortion with Input 2 Variax, but you can't dial out the comb-filtering, looseness, and phasing sound from Input 2 Guitar/Same.

Now if you've already dialed in patches using Input 2 Guitar/Same, it can sometimes be difficult to transition. If you use dual amps with no mono-summing effect before the split, you need to introduce a mono-summing effect before the split or you get no signal into Channel B. The least expensive way to do this in terms of DSP is the FX Loop with a patch cable. This may introduce some noise into the signal - playing with the levels of effects before and after the loop may help here. However, my preferred effect is a Noise Gate. You can set threshold to min so that it basically does nothing - just mono-summing. It is fairly low DSP. If I have more room and want an actual gate I use a Hard Gate. Note that all the Dynamic and Distortion effects are mono-summing.

If you need a hotter signal for your distortion, I find it's best to start by trying to increase output levels of effects already in your chain before your amp or distortion effect. If you use a compressor or distortion effect, you probably want to decrease threshold (or increase sustain) or increase Drive. That's compensating for the lower input signal. You can also try boosting the Output/Gain parameters where possible. If these options are not available, I recommend adding a Studio EQ to the chain, and boosting Gain - this will give you a clean boost, pushing your amp/distortion harder.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by pfanelli2 on 2012-09-12 06:48:10

I just wanted to say a BIG THANKS to everyone who contributed to this thread. I bought the POD to replace my tride and true 20 year old rack units. I had my HD500 for 2 months and was extremely disappointed - until now. I'm running it mono into a tube power amp and out into a Marshall 4x12. I read tons of tips, watched every clip and could not get a dirty tone on any of the models that I was truly happy with. Changing the input settings as recommended and a few tweaks to my patches and I'm back!

It's difficult to express how much of an improvement one little setting has made to my setup. Thanks again!!!

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by pilotron on 2012-09-13 09:14:22

THAT is SO true

I wish i had read your post sooner - been having exactly the same problem

was about to retur, the whomle damn thing or throw it through a window or something

so i went to a mate who had axactly the same as i have

- DT25- POD 500

- JTV (mine is 89 his is 69) but that shoudl sound the same

so after an afternoon of testing and checking and rechecking and comparing parameters we suddenly found it

AND it is exactly as you say

put it to SAME and it sounds terrible liek its filled with digital overdribe or so change it and you have the thing you wanted to buy in the first place

and apply it to GLOBAL so all patches are cleaned from this bad sound

Greetz from Belgium

Pilo

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by JB1973 on 2012-09-20 11:58:16

curious when I had one I think I was seeing youtube "how to" vids saying to set both but not sure now. maybe would have helped, small changes

definitely make huge impacts on sound. I check the page/forums to see what is going on here from time to time. I sold my hd500 and dt50 some time back and lost my butt on ebay. Bought a mesa boogie ta30 and mostly boutique pedals. One thing I realized afterwards is a) I am not a tweaker, damn to many options drive me f*ckin batty b) I have been using line 6 stuff for 12 years and never really knew what a tube amp was supposed to sound like because the only one i ever had was a carvin which had diode clipping and I ran L6 through it anyway.

I saw that pod farm 2.5 was being offered free with a hd300, I got mine free with my x3 live back in the day and then upgraded it to platinum 2.5 for standalone later. I was curious if this software has been updated at all in the last x years, I would love to upgrade it but can't see that one is available. For the new folks I would recommend going through the hoops to get pod farm if you don't have any other (newer) programs such as guitar rig 5 or amplitude. The software is handy for some minor tweeking. Personally I couldn't get a decent sound for ramping like I can with gr5 but it is still a good resource (especially free). If anyone is interested in other modeling amps (I have read comments on the fender mustang on another post) I bought a yamaha thr10 for when i travel for work and think its the best sounding digital amp i have heard especially considering its size. It is limited in functionality though if you need all the effects the hd series offers you will be sorely disapointed ith the 8 effects but if your a non-tweeker (like me) it might cure your migraines.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by andreasmaniotto on 2012-10-03 06:16:12

So, many thansk for those explanations but...the post is quite long and is such difficult to read/understand whats the best solution / position pre post / aso / aso

Could anybody please make a guide on that?

Thanks

Regards

Andrea

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by fenders74 on 2012-10-03 07:49:58

Ciao anche io sono italiano....and very confused about this crazy tricks in routing....INS should be in MONO ever.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by meambobbo on 2012-10-03 08:13:42

the routing is a bit bizarre because it tries to be so many things at once. It wants all the lines to be stereo so you can put a stereo effect anywhere in the chain, including before the split. It tries to incorporate multiple inputs using the same signal chain, so you can switch which you use outside of the Pod. It tries to incorporate two different Variax inputs. It tries to allow 2 inputs to have completely independent parallel chains. It tries to allow a single guitar signal to use dual amps. It tries to allow you add effects in parallel, and to mix/pan them differently.

There are some neat things you can do with all this, but it makes some simple things a complete pain in the butt. I think they would have been much better off offering 3-4 common use case modes to set up the signal chain. Or at least make an easy way to pull up an example patch as a starting point and set things up from there.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by fenders74 on 2012-10-03 09:01:05

I think IMHO that the 2 ins should be MONO. This is a pedalboard guitar gear...guitar!!! The guitar or mic if needed= is/are MONO instruments!

Why should I have need of one stereo IN ?!?! why? This is fake and so far from reality, and why should I forced to use one mono fx to split (in the right way) my signal at the cross path?!?! This should be happen automatically and internally with no waste of fx block amd DSP processor. In reality if I wanna use two different amps I split my MONO guitar signal in two IDENTICAL signal and connect them to amps ins that are always MONO in.

I think Lin6 should think about it and fix that in future update. Now the routing is terrible confused and also produce wrong summing of signal that cause delay or strange sounds and nightmare to use in real life! I think that we must have the possibility to have the 'None' choise at input 1 or 2 and decide what we want to route or what we don't and where instead to use tricks (variax ins ext.) and tha path chain should be start in MONO from the input 1 and 2.

This is my opinion since I purchased my POD HD 500 ( 3 weeks ago) I've read many posts and manuals and guide but I think that if this gear should be near to real things we all feel it better.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by phil_m on 2012-10-03 09:16:21

Well, the inputs themselves are mono. It's just that they are split into a stereo signal if you use a mono effect first in the chain. If you use a true stereo effect first, the signal will remain mono and only pass through one side of the effect. Because of the mix of mono and stereo effects in the POD, they have to address it somehow.

Really, if you want a simple setup, I think the best option is to mute Path B from the start and just insert everything in Path A. That way you're always only dealing with one input. The only drawback with doing this is that if you put a true stereo effect first in the chain, there's nothing coming through the right side of that effect. But, really, most people won't do that other than maybe a volume or wah, but with those it doesn't necessarily matter.

It not necessarily detached from reality, either. If you had a collection of effects that were mono, mono in/stereo out, and true stereo, these are things you'd have to think about. I have this sort of thing on my pedalboard, and I had to think about how I wanted everything routed.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by andreasmaniotto on 2012-10-03 09:23:56

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by perapera on 2012-10-13 06:08:29

wow!

meambobbo, if what you say was true, that would be a BIG BUG !

from the first day I had my Pod HD, I understood his signal routing and never had a doubt that using only one input, except when othewise needed, was the way to go, so all my patches have only input 1 active when I have a simple [gtr>fx>amp>fx] setup

when using using two parallel amps, I noticed some little phasing problems (e.g. when blending them with two volume pedals) but thought it was due to different algorithms going on on the two paths causing different latencies, wich is what also happens in real-life dual-amp setups (line 6 should introduce a sample delay function in the mixer to overcome this)

can you please tell us how did you find out this?

I found the time to do a quick test:

sine wave > audio card out > pod blank patch* > audio card in

(* with both mixer channels at unity and pan-centered)

i recorded the same thing two times one with only input 1 active (input1: guitar; input 2: variax)

and one with both inputs set to guitar

then I gave 6dB on my daw to the first one and inverted the polarity: they cancel perfectly

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by toneman2121 on 2012-10-15 08:46:32

mario, there are no manuals translated to italian

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by meambobbo on 2012-10-15 10:28:43

perapera, sounds like you took the time to do the research. i never got around to it. good to hear there's no definite bug in the timing of each input from your test.

Can you repeat the test, but place a mono-summing effect before the path split, such as a Noise Gate? I find that is when the sound I hear is most noticeable.

Also, what I might be hearing is the different tone acheived when using the "doubled input" into a Distortion effect with Drive set to 0%. Even at 0%, with a doubled input, there can be slight distortion, and running this into a distorted amp model might be causing the perceived difference.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by wulfye on 2012-10-25 21:08:00

I'm sad i just learnt this trick after fighting with the unit for 2 years, but man i love what it does now sounds way better and more defined !!!! Even when i plug my vintage Fuzz face or other stomp boxes now it sounds good, before it was unusable !!! Any other tricks i should know about ????

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by sliding_billy on 2012-10-26 02:37:30

The one problem I have with this is that the tuner doesn't work on the 2nd channel unless it is set the same as the 1st channel. I run a JTV in one and a 1/4" guitar in the other, and one of them cannot be tuned.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by edstar1960 on 2012-10-26 05:13:57

Actually, to be precise, the tuner only works for INPUT 1. It would appear that INPUT 2 does not get routed to the tuner. So if you want to use the onboard tuner, and you have INPUT 1 and INPUT 2 set to different inputs because of the reasons outlined above, then you will only be able to use the tuner for whatever is selected for INPUT 1. My work around is to use GLOBAL setting for input, and then I can temporarily switch the inputs around to tune before playing. Obviously this is no good for live performance if you need to retune in between songs or during a song and you are using the instrument connected to INPUT 2. However, for live work, I normally use just the VARIAX so it isn't a major issue for me, but I can see that it is a problem for anyone that uses both Variax and Standard guitar for a live set and may need to quickly adjust tuning during the performance.

I don't know why it is designed this way and I wonder whether it can be altered so that both INPUTs will get routed via the tuner. Perhaps a future firmware release will address it. For now, I guess it is a design limitation we have to live with.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by grimm26 on 2012-10-26 07:11:18

That does suck, but you'll get better results from putting a polytune on the floor for your guitar anyway.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by jasonk931 on 2012-10-26 20:16:35

Can you elaborate for this newbie on exactly what you did to secure needed tone.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by sliding_billy on 2012-10-28 04:35:49

Exactly... edstar! In the practice room, I have been doing the same thing as far as switching to "same" long enough to tune then going back to Variax on 1 and guitar on 2. Problem is I sometimes forget to change it back and then start wondering why I am spiking my tone.

grimm - I totally agree that there are better tuner options out there, but I have done the lots of wires and boxes thing for too long (30 or so years of carrying gear to practice/shows). I go back to the original POD, the original Variax (when it was just called the Variax) and the Vetta I when it was still in mass release in my Line 6 quest to limit the junk in my travel rig and I still finding myself with more gear than I want to setup and load out. There is always that one pedal that sounds a little better than the POD, the one guitar tone that I can't get with the Variax or the one amp that I want to crank up to stage volume to get that exact vibe.One of these days, I will realize that I am the only one that notices and that my mates and the folks on the other side of the stage won't know the difference. It (the "need for a 2nd tuner) does give me an excuse to run my M9 inline between my other guitar and my HD500 though.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by unperfectcircle on 2012-10-28 08:07:44

Hi guys,

I bought my HD500 a few days ago so I'm still trying to understand how it works.

First of all I've to say that I'm using it in studio/direct mode, right now directly into my soundcard+studio monitors.

I'll probably use a stereo configuration for my band gigs (= both XLR outputs directly into a PA), but for now I'd just like to build a solid set of mono patches (= gtr in > 1/4" unbalanced L out) to have at my disposal for a quicker/simpler backup in case I need it.

So, if I use a dual-amp patch with input1=guitar / input2=variax and a mono 1/4" unbalanced out (both amps panned to center), do I always have to put a mono-summing fx in the pre position?

I began to build dual cab patches without putting anything before the split, but when i tried to add a noise gate the sound completely changed.

Also, I seem to understand that the simplest way to get a mono rig is putting everything in the A path and mute the B, but in this case you can only use one amp slot. I was thinking, according to your experience, is it possible to achieve an usable sound with just one amp/cab?

Thanks a lot!

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by silverhead on 2012-10-28 10:07:32

There's a good section in the HD500 Advanced Manual about Source Input Signal Routing. In the latest manual version 2.1 it is on page 2-7.

With your Input settings, your guitar signal, or only the L half of it, may or may not be routed to Path B, depending on your FX placement and selection. As explained there, if you do not place any FX (whether mono or stereo) before the path split then you guitar signal (Input 1) is routed ONLY to Path A, and the Variax input (whether present or not) is routed ONLY to Path B. If you do place an FX before the split then the routing depends on whether that FX is mono or stereo. Note that each of Path A and Patch B are independent stereo paths; they are not necessarily L and R respectively (although they can be).

Sound complicated? It is - but the manual helps.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by sean106ESP on 2012-10-28 17:37:22

Sorry for the noob question and I did not read through all, if someone can help me open her up that would be killer

. Where in the menu do I set the inputs? In HD Edit or physically on the HD 500? Thanks in advance!

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by lindsayward on 2012-11-06 03:27:55

Hi sean - it's all in the manual

but you can set the inputs either in Edit or on the unit (as with most everything).

If you hold down the VIEW button that says "hold for system & I/O" then press right to go to page 3/10 and you'll see the inputs there for 1 and 2.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by jasonk931 on 2012-11-26 18:02:47

Help! I'm a Pastor and play rhythm guitar on the worship band. I use primarily Les Paul's, but recently got a Cherry sunburst Variax. On the clean tones, I'm getting the same arc and crack in the tone. A signal peak of sorts, even when I adjust volume levels:

My question to you is can you break down step by step how to set the inputs correctly as you stated? Would be greatly appreciated. I love the HD 500, and have found some amazing tones on the Customtone page, but I need some tweaking to dial it all in.

Also, on my volumes, in the pan setting on a certain tone, do I set the pan at 50% right and the other 50% left or all at 0 in the middle? Help....

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by jasonk931 on 2012-11-26 18:14:19

Ok, I figured the input part out, now my question is, input 1 and input 2? Are they seperate jacks, or I this just a reference digitally?

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by jimsreynolds on 2012-11-27 00:56:19

Two jacks on the back of the pod. One labelled 'Guitar Input' and the other labelled 'Aux Input' IIRC. Not directly beside each other either (which is moderately confusing).

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by greghall on 2012-11-27 01:15:50

Hi Jason,

I would pan to center (i.e. 50% right, 50% left), unless you are using stereo effects and connecting to seperate channels on your PA. If you are playing through an amp, or other mono situation, center position is the best approach.

There are 4 inputs on the HD500: guitar in, aux, microphone and Variax, and both input channels 1 and 2 can be set to one or any combination of these.

You can also set input 2 to the "Same" as input 1, but this gives a stronger signal (effectively doubled), so you may want to try setting it to aux or mic, to help with your clean tone.

Hope that helps

Regards

Greg

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by snhirsch on 2012-12-02 10:21:13

A BIG thanks for this tip. I am a very recent HD500 customer and have been fighting all morning with an obnoxious "double-note" overtone from the G-string on my Variax JTV-69. It was particularly evident with high-gain on the Marshall emulation and was starting to sour me on the unit. At first I thought it was the piezo transducers reacting to fret buzz, but it was just as bad when I switched to the magnetics. After tripping over this thread, I changed Input 2 source to 'Aux' (nothing in my case) and - bingo - it's gone.

I'm not quite sure I understand the underlying mechanism, but if it's a matter of overloading the A/D converter I would think this could be dealt with by adding an internal level reduction when both inputs are active ("same").

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by lachinelli on 2012-12-13 09:47:39

Thanks for the tip. Maybe this is the first thing that made me feel dissapointed from Line 6, and they still haven't solved it. 99% of the time we'll play with one input only...so why double the input??? At least they should update the advanced manual and explain this issue.

I'm a metal player, so I had everything top notch. Even if it has lost a bit of gain, sounds more defined. I still haven't tried it in amp emulations since I go straight to a real amp.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by JohnnyFu on 2012-12-14 15:31:02

I sold my POD HD500 a year ago. I got myself a new one these days and I'm quite surprised this topic is still active.

As I work in IT I understand how development works, fixes and improvement take time, the fact this topic is still active for over a year worries me a bit though. However, I'm a casual player lacking the knowledge to really judge on it or blame Line6. However, even my casual ears noticed sometimes things just sound broken on the POD.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by hurghanico on 2012-12-14 17:43:04

lachinelli ha scritto:

...that made me feel dissapointed from Line 6, and they still haven't solved it. 99% of the time we'll play with one input only...so why double the input??? At least they should update the advanced manual and explain this issue....

theyhave not yetsolved it andwill never solve it in the future simply becausethere is nothing tofix..

do not believe it?

ok!

setinput1 to "guitar" and input2 to "Variax" .. (reverse this setting if you connect a variax)

you know very wellthatin pathA canarrive onlyinput1 ..ok ..putan ampin pathA andset pan Ato the center,..play andmemorize that sound... if you want, do a recording of this sound with your DAW for a later comparison ..

nowmovethe amp topre-split position, return pan A to the left,.. play ..isthe same sound as before? .. no, I would say no ..is quiteweaker and lessdistorted.. or not?

- input 1 and 2 are two fixed virtual inputsthatexist only to give you the possibility tofeed simultaneously 2separateamps/fx with a single instrument or with 2 separate different instruments (as a example let say: guitar and voice),and therefore in the case of 2 separate amps/fx in path A and B, each input naturally must providea full signal to the amp and fx on its related path..

- BUT, since thevirtual inputsare always 2 (fixed!), and since it would not make much senseto send 2 full signals of the same instrument (or even alternatively 2 different instruments signals) both to1 mono effectoramp thatwas instead positioned inpre-split path,the 2 inputsin this latter casewould bereconfiguredasL &R of asingle-(supposed and expected) physical inputsignal ..

- therefore, still in this latter case, if the 2 inputs are instead set different-(unexpectedly) from each other, you get only the L part of the instrument set on input 1, and the R part (if any active,.. let say: your invented "null" option) of the other instrument-(dummy or not) set on input 2.. both theoretically feeding the same amp or mono fx in pre-split path position..

Q.: whotold you that?A.: nobody, Ifigured it out by myself aftermany experiments and sound comparisons and I am convincedthat it is like just explained, as I am convincedthat.. yes, and here I agree with you, the manualcould have been writtena littlebetter ..

obviously ifsome people, like you and the other posters in this thread, prefer morethe sound of the PODthat they get withahalvedinputsignal,everyone have their owntastes and arefree to doas they want..

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by phil_m on 2012-12-20 12:07:39

you know very wellthatin pathA canarrive onlyinput1 ..ok ..putan ampin pathA andset pan Ato the center,..play andmemorize that sound... if you want, do a recording of this sound with your DAW for a later comparison ..

nowmovethe amp topre-split position, return pan A to the left,.. play ..isthe same sound as before? .. no, I would say no ..is quiteweaker and lessdistorted.. or not?

I just saw this comment now, and I think you might be misdiagnosing the signal drop here. I don't think the drop in signal you're hearing has more to do with the pan settings and where you have the amp block. If you have the amp block before the split, the left side of its output will be going to Path A and the the right half will be going to Path B. Btw, do you have Path B muted in the mixer here? If you do, you will only be hearing the left side of the amp block's output. That would explain why the signal wouldn't be quite as loud as having the amp model in Path A. In your first scenario - amp block in Path A, Pan control centered, you'd be getting the full stereo output of the amp block.

That is one quirk of the HD500. Even though there are mono effects and amp models, they really function as mono in/stereo out. Another quirk is that pan control really isn't a true pan. It's a balance control. When you pan to the left, you're not moving a mono signal across the stereo spectrum. What you're really doing is turning the right side down. When panned center both left and right are at 100%. When panned hard left, the left is 100% and right is at 0%. Vice versa is panned hard right.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by hurghanico on 2012-12-20 12:54:54

phil_m ha scritto:

I just saw this comment now, and I think you might be misdiagnosing the signal drop here. I don't think the drop in signal you're hearing has more to do with the pan settings and where you have the amp block. If you have the amp block before the split, the left side of its output will be going to Path A and the the right half will be going to Path B. Btw, do you have Path B muted in the mixer here? If you do, you will only be hearing the left side of the amp block's output. That would explain why the signal wouldn't be quite as loud as having the amp model in Path A. In your first scenario - amp block in Path A, Pan control centered, you'd be getting the full stereo output of the amp block...

in theexperiment above, when the amp isin pathA, thepansettingsin the center serves only tonot have to uncomfortably listenonlyto the left side(just for ease of listening),and notfor the demonstration ofwhat has been said,which isentirely basedon the relationship betweentheinputsettingsandthe possible amp positions...

I have notmutedpathBbecauseit was useless, since input 2wassetto adummy instrument.. therefore when the amp isin pathAthere is norisk of hearing also the dry guitar signal through path B to confuse things..

that said, (regardless of the pan settings), whenusedwith only 1 input, the amp sound in pre-split pathpositionis weaker andless distorted..

when using instead both inputsfor the same instrument, the amp sound in pre-split positionisexactly the same (volume level and distortion level) to when it is inpathA..

Thisis more than enough for meto prove the validityof what has beensaid before

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by CairnsFella on 2012-12-27 16:26:06

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by silverhead on 2012-12-27 16:50:19

hurghanico wrote:

I have notmutedpathBbecauseit was useless, since input 2wassetto adummy instrument.. therefore when the amp isin pathAthere is norisk of hearing also the dry guitar signal through path B to confuse things......

Paths A and B do not correspond directly to Inputs 1 and 2. If there is any amp/FX positioned before the path split then each of Input 1 and Input 2 are routed to both Paths.

The only way to isolate Input1 in Path A and Input 2 in Path B is to make sure that there is no amp/FX placed before the path split in the preset.

Also, both Paths are stereo.

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by hurghanico on 2012-12-27 17:16:24

ok,click with the mouse right button on themanual file icon, it opens amenu, choose "properties", click on thetab "PDF",

now you canread the nameand email addressof the author..

to be honest, seen how he wrote the manual on this topic, I do not knowifhehas completely understoodthe way the things are, I hope so, I think it would be probably moreexhaustiveto speak toone of the HD programmers.. and unfortunately at the moment I don't have more secret tricks to reach them too..

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by CairnsFella on 2012-12-29 19:51:48

I should probably clarify after my previous post that I am honestly quite happy with hurghanico's explanation of the way things are. My pleading for line 6 input is becuse despite this, everytime the issue gets discussed I cannot resist the urge to reconsider the issue and review the points presented.

If there were a clear official stance I'd be more inclined to relax (at least until someone comes up with evidence that contraditcs that stance ... and possibly why they dont).

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by perapera on 2013-01-02 16:44:35

sorry meambobbo I didn't come here for a long time...

I repeated the test:

sine wave > audio card out > pod blank patch* > audio card in

(* with both mixer channels at unity and pan-centered)

I recorded the same thing two times, one with only input 1 active (input1: guitar; input 2: variax) and one with both inputs set to guitar

then I gave 6dB on my daw to the first one and inverted the polarity:

well... they actually cancel QUITE perfectly; the resultant is a sine with 50dB less than the original,

but I checked the two waveforms which are exactly in phase up to the sample level,

so I think the quite-complete-cancelling could be due to a not-exactly 6dB difference and frankly I can live with that

then I did the same thing introducing a noise gate in the "pre" path with the threshold at 0% and obtained the same result

if you use a distortion with 0% drive it doesn't mean "no distortion" but "minimum distortion (for that pedal)", so halving the signal that you send at its input gives you less overdrive and doubling it gives you more overdrive that's all

BUT, and this is a BIG FAT BUT, I now agree that it's better to use a Guitar/Same input configuration

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by bjnette on 2013-01-22 19:00:02

I do not have the problem but I have the latest firmware installed. Also I actually name a preset. Do not know if that'l make a difference. Hope so for your sake! Cheers

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by sonas on 2013-01-30 01:51:41

Hi

Thanks for posting this. I already us a JTV 59 variax with VDI cabel, so what do I set channel 2 to if I have ch+ set to variax.

All the best

Sonas

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by svetlosivilo on 2013-02-18 08:57:00

Hi

did anyone notice that Multihead Delays on POD HD are mono?

is that some kind of joke?

******* POD X3 and even XT have multihead stereo delays?

so are multihead delays mono or i am stupid ?

Re: What every HD500 owner needs to know!
by phil_m on 2013-02-18 09:11:37

The multihead delay is a stereo thru/mono effect block. What that means is that it will maintain a stereo separation through the effect block, but the effect itself is in the center of the stereo field. It's the same way it is on the M13. A comprehensive list can be found here: